2nd Call projects
The Green ERA-Hub has selected 6 projects for funding under the 2024 joint call for proposals (the second call launched by the Green ERA-Hub). This call attracted 31 pre-registrations, of which 29 resulted in eligible full proposals. With this call, GEH brought together 9 funding organizations from 8 countries, across 3 continents, to support basic and applied research.
The call focused on “Crop and livestock farming meeting the challenges of climate change”, with two main topics. Aiming to advance climate-smart farming by supporting adaptation to climate change, strengthening resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving crop and livestock health — all while ensuring the economic sustainability of farming.
Each selected project involves collaboration between researchers from multiple countries and continents and is expected to adopt holistic and integrated perspectives. Projects will start in 2025 and run for 3 years.
Two topics were identified and proposed to applicants
CROP BOOSTERS : Biotechnology-based solutions for crop stress mitigation
How can we help crops survive drought without harming the environment?
CROP BOOSTERS is developing innovative, sustainable solutions to make tomato plants more resilient in times of water scarcity. We harness the power of nature by using biostimulants, biofertilisers and plant-derived nanovesicles, which are sourced from plant cells and cyanobacteria. These natural substances have the potential to stimulate growth, increase stress tolerance and boost yields, even in drought conditions. But that's not all. CROP BOOSTERS is also investigating bio-based alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals solutions that support plant health, nurture the soil, and protect biodiversity. Through collaboration with farmers, researchers, and other partners, we are developing a forward-thinking approach to agriculture.
FarmScan: Field Analysis via Remote Monitoring and Sustainable, Decomposable Agricultural Nodes
How can we monitor soil health without causing environmental damage?
FarmScan is reimagining precision agriculture by combining smart sensor technology with sustainability. The project involves developing biodegradable soil sensors that monitor important soil conditions such as moisture and nutrients without leaving behind electronic waste. These passive, chipless sensors can be deployed in large quantities to provide farmers with real-time, high-resolution insights into their fields. It's about more than just smart sensors. FarmScan is also developing an AI-powered platform that turns sensor data into actionable advice, helping farmers to boost their yields while reducing their use of resources such as water and fertiliser. The sensors are designed to break down into harmless materials, making them safe for the environment and easy to scale up. Field trials in Italy and Ireland, combined with life cycle assessments and stakeholder engagement, ensure that the technology is effective and sustainable. By providing farmers with better data and reducing e-waste, FarmScan promotes climate-smart agriculture, improves food security and makes rural communities more resilient.
MethTrack: Tracking different methane mitigation strategies using Carbon isotope ratios in ruminants
How can we reduce livestock emissions without compromising productivity?
MethTrack is taking the lead in tackling methane emissions from ruminants in a smarter way. The project will develop innovative tools to measure the effectiveness of methane-reducing strategies directly on farms. This will empower farmers to take climate action without guesswork. Using cutting-edge isotope analysis and practical 'sniffer' technologies, MethTrack delivers accurate, accessible data on methane production in cows, sheep, and goats. MethTrack isn't just about data; it's about driving change. By integrating research with real-world farming practices, the project is transforming the livestock sector to become more climate-smart. MethTrack is creating robust, science-based tools that are easy to use on farms of all sizes. These tools are the result of continuous culture experiments, dietary trials and predictive modelling. The project works closely with farmers, feed companies, and policymakers to ensure the solutions are practical, scalable, and impactful. MethTrack pilots in Italy, Germany and New Zealand prove that methane can be tracked and reduced. It supports climate reporting, unlocks carbon markets, and helps farmers produce more sustainably.
ORACLE: Optimising crop root growth and function for enhanced drought resilience in legume-sorghum intercropping
How can we help crops to thrive in conditions of drought?
ORACLE investigates how roots can contribute to a more climate-resilient agricultural system. The project improves the drought tolerance of legume–sorghum intercrops by combining advanced root phenotyping with molecular plant and soil biology. Through field trials and controlled experiments, ORACLE identifies root traits and plant combinations that enhance water uptake and nutrient efficiency in dry environments. Drought is a major challenge in arid regions, yet the interactions between roots and microbes remain poorly understood. ORACLE addresses this knowledge gap by using cutting-edge technologies to study root function and rhizosphere dynamics. This enables breeders and farmers to adapt to climate stress. These activities include high-resolution root imaging, metabolite analysis and modelling of carbon and nitrogen flows in soil. By collaborating closely with partners and providing training, ORACLE transforms research into practical tools. The project supports stable food production, strengthens local agriculture, boosts economic opportunities and contributes to long-term climate adaptation.
CerealBio: Exploiting cereal biodiversity in nutrient use and biological interactions in crop resilience breeding
How can we cultivate hardy cereals without depending on agrochemicals?
CerealBio aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of wheat and oat production in Europe. The project explores how biodiversity, plant-microbe interactions and ecosystem synergies can be exploited to naturally breed more resilient cereals. By utilising the genetic diversity of wheat and oat varieties, CerealBio intends to minimise reliance on chemical inputs while enhancing crop performance in the face of climate stress. But that's not all. CerealBio is also developing sustainable breeding and management strategies that support soil health, reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. With partners across Europe, the project is establishing a new model for cereal farming that is grounded in resilience, biodiversity and innovation.
AGROSOIL: Agrogeophysics for Sustainable Soil Management under climate extremes
How can we grow smarter crops without digging deeper into the soil, or the planet’s resources?
AGROSOIL is at the forefront of using agrogeophysics to transform our understanding of, and approach to, managing soil in the face of climate extremes. The project combines advanced geophysical techniques, such as electromagnetic induction, resistivity tomography and ground-penetrating radar, with smart soil sensors to provide non-invasive, high-resolution monitoring of soil health. AGROSOIL explores how soils and crops react to varying conditions of climate extremes. These insights will inform the development of autonomous monitoring tools and practical workflows to help farmers optimise the use of water and fertiliser, improve crop resilience and reduce environmental impact. However, AGROSOIL is about more than just monitoring soil conditions. It's also about creating a smarter, more sustainable agricultural system that can adapt to climate extremes while preserving the health of our soils for future generations. By focusing on non-destructive monitoring and sustainable resource use, AGROSOIL contributes to climate-smart agriculture and long-term food security.